Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Forest Grove, OR: $68,000 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Forest Grove, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,000 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Forest Grove's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $66,277 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($101,352) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the civil engineering field can expect starting pay around $68,000 in Forest Grove, Oregon, which may initially appear modest compared to the city’s median annual salary of $101,352. For early-career professionals in this location, the journey typically begins at the lower end of the salary spectrum, with the potential for growth as they accumulate experience and demonstrate their skills. Within just three to five years, new graduates can aim to reach approximately $78,798, aligning closer to the city median. This trajectory showcases that Forest Grove offers a favorable market for entry-level civil engineers, particularly given the ongoing demand for infrastructure improvements driven by federal initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
About the Forest Grove Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Forest Grove
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Forest Grove
Entry-level civil engineers in Forest Grove, OR typically start between $68,000 and $78,798 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $88,792 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $101,352 — 2.07% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Oregon of $65,000 represents just 95.59% of the starting civil engineer pay ($68,000/year) in Forest Grove. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Forest Grove
- 1Research the Forest Grove market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $68,000 to $78,798, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Forest Grove, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Forest Grove for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Forest Grove's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Forest Grove is $88,792 ( 130.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,000, experienced hygienists can earn up to $156,792.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,771
2025 BLS Actual
$66,257
2026 Current Est.
$68,000
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Forest Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,771 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,528 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,266 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,383 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,992 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,257 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,000 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,788 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Forest Grove, OR grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,771 in 2019 to $66,257 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,788. New graduates entering the Forest Grove job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Forest Grove metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Forest Grove
Employers in Forest Grove who actively hire fresh graduates include large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which provide structured training programs that prepare entry-level engineers for professional growth. Meanwhile, state and federal agencies, like the Oregon Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, present stable career paths with government benefits. Construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor may also recruit entry-level engineers, albeit usually in field engineering roles with a focus on immediate project needs. For those looking to enhance their starting civil engineer salary in Forest Grove, obtaining a Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited program along with passing the FE exam is critical to becoming an Engineer in Training (EIT). This foundational credential can lead to a path toward licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE), which significantly influences salary and opportunities. In the first few years, engineers can realistically expect to increase their earnings incrementally, leveraging both their credentials and the state’s growing investment in infrastructure.
More salary data for Forest Grove, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Forest Grove. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Forest Grove is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov